Juvenile justice has been a hotly debated topic this week, with the juvenile delinquent in Delhi rape case set to be released tomorrow. Looks like most Indians are of the opinion that he should not be allowed to walk free. Their reasons vary, but most of them come down to one of the two main arguments […]
Author: raman
Haryana Panchayati Raj (Amendment) Act 2015 and Supreme Court Verdict
There are many flaws in Haryana Panchayati Raj (Amendment) Act 2015, and the recent Supreme Court verdict chooses to ignore them all. Before we can get into the details, it is important to understand the major changes brought in through the amendment and their supposed rationale. To read the amendment in full, refer to this barely […]
Gender Bias in Temples and other Places of Worship
“Incredible India” is home to many incredible traditions. There are several thousand different sects following different customs, having their own deities and places of worship. These include temples for Gods, animals, saints, celestial bodies, and even actresses and politicians! The rules followed at many of these are often strange, and usually, follow from local customs and […]
How Hitler Helped End Colonialism
European colonies which gained their freedom post World War II owe their freedom, in a great part, to Hitler and the Nazis. Whether or not he really meant to do so, there are at least two ways in which Hitler helped end colonialism. The first of these is more straightforward, less controversial, seldom disputed, and widely […]
Thoughts on Faridabad Immolation Tragedy
Social and conventional media are ablaze with the Faridabad immolation tragedy. If innocent people, especially children, lose their life, it is natural for people to feel sad and pained. It goes without saying that the case should be investigated impartially and if there is foul play, perpetrators should be brought to justice. In India, however, […]
History, Hinduism and Beef Eating
The debate on Hinduism and beef eating is not only old, but also one that has made a mark on Indian history time and again. This was, for example, one of the primary triggers for the First War of Independence in 1857 in which use (or rumour of use) of cartridges greased with cow and pig fat […]
The Net Neutrality Debate and an Edible Analogy
The net neutrality debate is now raging in India. In spite of the obvious simplification, this edible analogy should throw light on what each side in this debate stands for (at least from my perspective). In a vast, wide, world, there were many countries. They were at different levels of prosperity, cultivated different crops, wore different clothes, spoke different languages, but […]
Should Full-contact Combat Sports be Banned?
Last week, when I read about Australian Medical Association’s stand on combat sports and their call for boxing to be banned from Olympics and Commonwealth games, I was not surprised. Given that entering a boxing ring poses greater risk (in terms of probability) of a head injury than riding a two-wheeler without helmet for a comparable […]
Bringing Political Parties Under RTI – a Flawed Approach
I have seen a lot of people criticize Government of India’s submission to the Supreme Court that political parties cannot be brought under the purview of Right to Information (RTI) act. I endorse the stance taken by the Government, and my reasons (which may be different from the Government’s, with slight overlap) are discussed here. […]
Government’s Ban on Porn – a Step in the Right Direction
There are reports of the Indian government instructing Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to block access to around 800 websites, most of which are said to offer a variety of pornographic content including extremely toxic and illegal shades. While there are many who consider this move to be an assault on personal liberty, I would like to […]